First principles calculation of the effect of Coulomb collisions in partially ionized gases

Donkó, Zoltán (2014) First principles calculation of the effect of Coulomb collisions in partially ionized gases. PHYSICS OF PLASMAS, 21 (4). ISSN 1070-664X

Preview

Text 1404.0926.pdf Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (798kB) | Preview

Abstract

Coulomb collisions, at appreciable ratios (η) of the electron to the neutral particle density, influence signifi- cantly the electron kinetics in particle swarms and in plasmas of gas discharges. This paper introduces a com- bination of Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation techniques, to provide a novel, approximation- free, first principles calculation method for the velocity distribution function of electrons, and related swarm characteristics, at arbitrary η. Simulation results are presented for electrons in argon gas, for density ra- tios between zero and 10−1, representing the limits of a negligible electron density and an almost complete Maxwellization of the velocity distribution function, respectively.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item